Sand particle lift-off velocity measurements and numerical simulation of mass flux distributions in a wind tunnel

Lift-off velocity of saltating sand particles in wind-blown sand located at 1.0 mm above the sand bed surface was measured using a phase Doppler particle analyzer in a wind tunnel. The results show that the probability distribution of lift-off velocity can be expressed as a lognormal function, while that of lift-off angle follows an exponential function. The probability distribution of lift-off angle conditioned for each lift-off velocity also follows an exponential function, with a slope that becomes steeper with increasing lift-off velocity. This implies that the probability distribution of lift-off velocity is strongly dependent on the lift-off angle. However, these lift-off parameters are generally treated as an independent joint probability distribution in the literature. Numerical simulations were carried out to investigate the effects of conditional versus independent joint probability distributions on the vertical sand mass flux distribution. The simulation results derived from the conditional joint probability distribution agree much better with experimental data than those from the independent ones. Thus, it is better to describe the lift-off velocity of saltating sand particles using the conditional joint probability distribution. These results improve our understanding of saltation processes in wind-blown sand.     

Transport mechanism of eroded sediment particles under freeze-thaw and runoff conditions

Hydraulic erosion associated with seasonal freeze-thaw cycles is one of the most predominant factors, which drives soil stripping and transportation. In this study, indoor simulated meltwater erosion experiments were used to investigate the sorting characteristics and transport mechanism of sediment particles under different freeze-thaw conditions (unfrozen, shallow-thawed, and frozen slopes) and runoff rates (1, 2, and 4 L/min). Results showed that the order of sediment particle contents was silt>sand>clay during erosion process on unfrozen, shallow-thawed, and frozen slopes. Compared with original soils, clay and silt were lost, and sand was deposited. On unfrozen and shallow-thawed slopes, the change of runoff rate had a significant impact on the enrichment of clay, silt, and sand particles. In this study, the sediment particles transported in the form of suspension/saltation were 83.58%-86.54% on unfrozen slopes, 69.24%-84.89% on shallow-thawed slopes, and 83.75%-87.44% on frozen slopes. Moreover, sediment particles smaller than 0.027 mm were preferentially transported. On shallow-thawed slope, relative contribution percentage of suspension/saltation sediment particles gradually increased with the increase in runoff rate, and an opposite trend occurred on unfrozen and frozen slopes. At the same runoff rate, freeze-thaw process had a significant impact on the relative contribution percentage of sediment particle transport via suspension/saltation and rolling during erosion process. The research results provide an improved transport mechanism under freeze-thaw condition for steep loessal slopes.     

Large scale sand saltation over hard surface:a controlled experiment in still air

Saltation is the major particle movement type in wind erosion process. Saltating sand grains can rebound up to tens of times larger in length and height over hard surface(such as gravel surface) than over loose sand surface. Gravels usually have different faces, causing distinct response of the impacting grains, but the effects of the grain and gravel-surface contact angle on grain rebound are not yet well quantified. We performed full-range controlled experiments of grain saltation using different contact angles, grain sizes and impact speeds in still air, to show that contact angle increases the height of representative saltation path but decreases particle travel length. The results were compared with outputs from the COMprehensive numerical model of SALTation(COMSALT). Large saltation height of 4.8 m and length of 9.0 m were recorded. The maximum and representative saltation height over the gravel surface were found to be about 4.9 times and 12.8 times those over the loose sandy surface, respectively. The maximum saltation length may be reduced by 58% and the representative saltation height may be increased by 77% as contact angle increases from 20° to 40°. We further showed that the collision inertia contributes 60% of the saltation length, and wind contributes to the other 40%. These quantitative findings have important implications for modeling saltation trajectory over gravel surface.     

甘肃临夏地区一次扬沙与强寒潮天气诊断分析

利用基本气象资料和欧洲中心数值预报产品资料,对发生在2006年4月10～11日临夏地区的一次扬沙和强寒潮天气过程进行了分析.结果表明:临夏地区扬沙伴有强寒潮天气发生,在大气环流调整过程中,冷空气活动是造成扬沙和强寒潮灾害的主要动力,高空急流是大风的动量来源,蒙古气旋和冷锋是触发这次扬沙、强寒潮天气的重要天气系统.高、低空冷、暖平流的空间配置使降温更为剧烈.同时,涡度和散度对扬沙和寒潮的落区有很好的指示作用.在受灾区,对流层和近地面层为不稳定层结,从而引起强烈垂直上升运动,导致低层强烈辐合,出现了10～11日的灾害性天气过程.     

风沙流研究的历史、现状及其趋势

本文扼要回顾了风沙流的研究历史;简明评述了颗粒运动特征、风沙流结构、输沙率模型、起沙风模型、表面气流变化、风沙两相流等研究现状内容;就目前研究中存在的问题、研究趋势等方面作了探讨。     

Estimation of the quantity of aeolian saltation sediments blown into the Yellow River from the Ulanbuh Desert,China

The Ulanbuh Desert borders the upper reach of the Yellow River.Every year,a mass of aeolian sand is blown into the Yellow River by the prevailing wind and the coarse aeolian sand results in serious silting in the Yellow River.To estimate the quantity of aeolian sediments from the Ulanbuh Desert blown into the Yellow River,we simulated the saltation processes of aeolian sediments in the Ulanbuh Desert.Then we used a saltation submodel of the IWEMS(Integrated Wind-Erosion Modeling System)and its accompanying RS(Remote Sensing)and GIS(Geographic Information System)modules to estimate the quantity of saltation sediments blown into the Yellow River from the Ulanbuh Desert.We calibrated the saltation submodel by the synchronous observation to wind velocity and saltation sediments on several points with different vegetation cover.The vegetation cover,frontal area of vegetation,roughness length,and threshold friction velocity in various regions of the Ulanbuh Desert were obtained using NDVI(Normalized Difference Vegetation Index)data,measured sand-particle sizes,and empirical relationships among vegetation cover,sand-particle diameters,and wind velocity.Using these variables along with the observed wind velocities and saltation sediments for the observed points,the saltation model was validated.The model results were shown to be satisfactory(RMSE less than 0.05 and|Re|less than 17%).In this study,a subdaily wind-velocity program,WINDGEN,was developed using this model to simulate hourly wind velocities around the Ulanbuh Desert.By incorporating simulated hourly wind-velocity and wind-direction data,the quantity of saltation sediments blown into the Yellow River was calculated with the saltation submodel.The annual quantity of aeolian sediments blown into the Yellow River from the Ulanbuh Desert was 5.56×106t from 2001 to 2010,most of which occurred in spring(from March to May);for example,6.54×105tons of aeolian sand were blown into the Yellow River on 25 April,2010.However,in summer and winter,the saltation process occasionally occurred.This research has supplied some references to prevent blown sand hazards and silting in the Yellow River.     

塔里木盆地塔中地区野外微梯度风沙流观测

利用2014年7月至8月塔中地区沙尘与扬沙天气下风沙流运动的实测数据,对0~85 mm高度内风沙流运动进行了研究。结果表明:(1)0~85 mm高度层,输沙率(Q)随风速(v)增大呈幂函数规律增加,R2≥0.975 7,且输沙率主要集中在0~35 mm高度内。(2)总输沙率和撞击颗粒数的最佳拟合函数为线性函数,R2≥0.878 2,相关性较好;塔中地区1 min最小临界起沙风速为4.0 m·s-1。(3)跃移运动集中在10:00—20:00,总输沙率最大值出现在12:00—16:00,17:00以后输沙率明显下降。     

Reinvestigation of the scaling law of the windblown sand launch velocity with a wind tunnel experiment

Windblown sand transport is a leading factor in the geophysical evolution of arid and semi-arid regions. The evolution speed is usually indicated by the sand transport rate that is a function of launch velocity of sand particle, whichhasbeen investigated by the experimental measurement and numerical simulation. However, the obtained results in literatures are inconsistent. Some researchers have discovered a relation between average launch velocity and wind shear velocity, while some other researchers have suggested that average launch velocity is independent of wind shear velocity. The inconsistence of launch velocity leads to a controversy in the scaling law of the sand transport rate in the windblown case. On the contrary, in subaqueous case, the scaling law of the sand transport rate has been widely accepted as a cubic function of fluid shear velocity. In order to explain the debates surrounding the windblown case and the difference between windblown and subaquatic cases, this study reinvestigates the scaling law of the vertical launch velocity of windblown transported sand particles by using a dimensional analysis in consideration of the compatibility of the characteristic time of sand particle motion and that of air flow. Then a wind tunnel experiment is conducted to confirm the revisited scaling law, where the sand particle motion pictures are recorded by a high-speed camera and then the launch velocity is solved by the particle tracking velocimetry. By incorporating the results of dimensional analysis and wind tunnel experiment, it can be concluded that, the ratio of saltonsnumber to reptonsnumberdetermines the scaling law of sand particle launch velocity and that of sand transport rate, and using this ratio is able to explain the discrepancies among the classical models of steady sand transport. Moreover, the resulting scaling law can explain the sand sieving phenomenon: a greater fraction of large grains is observed as the distance to the wind tunnel entrance becomes larger.     

Effect of the W-beam central guardrails on wind-blown sand deposition on desert expressways in sandy regions

Many desert expressways are affected by the deposition of the wind-blown sand,which might block the movement of vehicles or cause accidents.W-beam central guardrails,which are used to improve the safety of desert expressways,are thought to influence the deposition of the wind-blown sand,but this has yet not to be studied adequately.To address this issue,we conducted a wind tunnel test to simulate and explore how the W-beam central guardrails affect the airflow,the wind-blown sand flux and the deposition of the wind-blown sand on desert expressways in sandy regions.The subgrade model is 3.5 cm high and 80.0 cm wide,with a bank slope ratio of 1:3.The W-beam central guardrails model is 3.7 cm high,which included a 1.4-cm-high W-beam and a 2.3-cm-high stand column.The wind velocity was measured by using pitot-static tubes placed at nine different heights(1,2,3,5,7,10,15,30 and 50 cm)above the floor of the chamber.The vertical distribution of the wind-blown sand flux in the wind tunnel was measured by using the sand sampler,which was sectioned into 20 intervals.In addition,we measured the wind-blown sand flux in the field at K50 of the Bachu-Shache desert expressway in the Taklimakan Desert on 11 May 2016,by using a customized 78-cm-high gradient sand sampler for the sand flux structure test.Obstruction by the subgrade leads to the formation of two weak wind zones located at the foot of the windward slope and at the leeward slope of the subgrade,and the wind velocity on the leeward side weakens significantly.The W-beam central guardrails decrease the leeward wind velocity,whereas the velocity increases through the bottom gaps and over the top of the W-beam central guardrails.The vertical distribution of the wind-blown sand flux measured by wind tunnel follows neither a power-law nor an exponential function when affected by either the subgrade or the W-beam central guardrails.At 0.0H and 0.5H(where H=3.5 cm,which is the height of the subgrade),the sand transport is less at the 3 cm height from the subgrade surface than at the 1 and 5 cm heights as a result of obstruction by the W-beam central guardrails,and the maximum sand transportation occurs at the 5 cm height affected by the subgrade surface.The average saltation height in the presence of the W-beam central guardrails is greater than the subgrade height.The field test shows that the sand deposits on the overtaking lane leeward of the W-beam central guardrails and that the thickness of the deposited sand is determined by the difference in the sand mass transported between the inlet and outlet points,which is consistent with the position of the minimum wind velocity in the wind tunnel test.The results of this study could help us to understand the hazards of the wind-blown sand onto subgrade with the W-beam central guardrails.     

Effect of stones on the sand saltation threshold during natural sand and dust storms in a stony desert in Tsogt-Ovoo in the Gobi Desert,Mongolia

Non-erodible elements such as stones and vegetation are key to controlling wind erosion and dust emission in drylands. Stony deserts are widely distributed in the Gobi Desert, but the effect of stones on wind erosion and dust emission have not been well studied, except under artificial conditions. In this study, we evaluated the effect of stones on wind erosion and dust emission by measuring the sand saltation threshold in a stony desert in Tsogt-Ovoo in the Gobi Desert, Mongolia, under natural surface conditions during sand and dust storms. We quantified the amount of stones by measuring the roughness density, and determined the threshold friction velocity for sand saltation by measuring wind speed and sand saltation count. Our results showed that the threshold friction velocity increased with the roughness density of stones. In the northern part of the study area, where neither a surface crust nor vegetation was observed, the roughness density of stones was 0.000 in a topographic depression (TD), 0.050 on a northern slope (N.SL), and 0.160 on the northern mountain (N.MT). The mean threshold friction velocity values were 0.23, 0.41, and 0.57 m/s at the TD, N.SL, and N.MT sites, respectively. In the southern part of the study area, the roughness density values of stones were 0.000 and 0.070-0.320 at the TD and southern slope sites, respectively, and the mean threshold friction velocities were 0.23 and 0.45-0.71 m/s, respectively. We further compared the observed threshold friction velocities with simulated threshold friction velocities using Raupach's theoretical roughness correction and the measured roughness density values, and found that Raupach's roughness correction worked very well in the simulation of threshold friction velocity in the stony desert. This means that the results of our stone measurement can be applied to a numerical dust model.     

回流滴灌系统毛管泥沙输移规律模拟及实验研究

为探究回流滴灌系统滴灌毛管的输沙潜力和抗堵塞性能,本试验通过CFD模拟和室内滴灌实验探究滴灌系统中泥沙颗粒输移规律和水流运动特性。CFD模拟结果表明:当毛管内水流流速小于0.2 m·s~(-1)时,随流速的增加,自毛管进入滴头的泥沙数量明显减少,且毛管内水流紊流强度大小与紊流区域范围逐渐减小;当毛管内水流流速大于0.2 m·s~(-1)时,流速的增加对进入滴头内的颗粒数量和水流状态无明显影响。室内滴灌实验结果表明:回流滴灌系统毛管水流流速增加时,滴头出水中的泥沙颗粒数量较支状系统减少约30%,而当回流毛管流速为0.1 m·s~(-1),三种滴灌带的灌水周期比支状滴灌系统分别提高50%、38%、41%,继续提高流速对提高灌水周期影响不大。回流滴灌系统较传统滴灌系统可以显著提高毛管的输沙排沙能力,减少进入滴头内的泥沙数量,提高系统抗堵塞性能,延长滴灌系统的运行周期。     

Observation of saltation activity at Tazhong area in Taklimakan Desert,China

A two-year field observation of saltation activity was carried out at Tazhong area,the hinterland area of the Taklimakan Desert with highly frequent dust storms.From 1 September 2008 to 31 August 2010,a piezoelectric saltation sensor(Sensit) was used to continuously collect the data on saltation activity at a level sand surface.Analysis on the data suggests that saltation activity can occur at any time of the year when conditions are favorable;however,the necessary conditions are rarely satisfied in most time.In the daytime of spring or summer,saltation activity can persist even over a continuous one-hour-or-so period.It is found that,from 1 September 2008 to 31 August 2010,saltation activity accounts for more than 3% of the total yearly time,and it tends to peak in spring and summer months with strong winds.During winter months when winds are weak,however,it is often at a minimum.It seems that precipitation does not appear to be significant in reducing saltation activity in arid regions like Tazhong.     

巴丹吉林沙漠拐子湖地区贴地层风速廓线和风沙流结构特征

野外监测试验表明：自由风和风沙流廓线拟合虽都以Z=A·exp(-X/T)+Z₁形式分布,但在风沙流中拟合系数更高;风沙流结构中,在20 cm以下随着高度的增加,各高度的输沙率百分比、含沙浓度、运动颗粒能量都呈增大趋势;20 cm以上随高度增加,各高度输沙率百分比变小,输沙率占总输沙率的51%左右,含沙量主要集中在离地面20 cm以内;风沙流在垂直方向上,高度与含沙平均粒径呈负相关,风速与含沙平均粒径变化呈正相关。这些结论对拐子湖地区防风治沙有重要的指导意义。     

土壤风蚀量随风速的变化规律研究

使用野外风洞作为风蚀研究的试验手段,通过农田土壤、沙及生土的风洞试验研究发现,农田土壤的风蚀量随风速呈指数函数变化,沙及生土的风蚀量随风速呈幂函数变化。试验研究还表明,农田土壤的风蚀量与表土层(3cm)的含水量呈显著负相关,沙的风蚀量与含水量的相关性不显著。风蚀导致土壤中的细颗粒成分大量损失,这是土壤颗粒粗化的原因所在。     

格状沙障内风速波动特征初步研究

通过对不同孔隙度格状沙障内风沙流中风速波动特征研究发现:风沙流中各高度层风速波动具有很好的相关性,其波动幅度随孔隙度的增加而减小;瞬时风速在时间序列上波动的均一性随不同高度间距离增加呈递减趋势;瞬时风速的波动性一方面受下垫面性质及外在环境条件的影响,另一方面与其所在高度层沙粒数量和运动状态有关.     

基于SPH方法的风沙流运动特性研究

文中基于光滑粒子流体动力学(Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics:SPH)方法,采用五次样条光滑函数,通过调节不同类型粒子光滑因子,对风沙流运动特性进行分析:1)在风沙流起动阶段,沙粒平均水平速度随高度增加而增大,同一高度处沙粒平均水平速度随时间推移而减小。2)风沙流稳定前后,沙粒数均随高度的增加而减少。3)风沙流形成过程中气体粒子在计算域中心位置产生涡流,并随着时间推移,涡流又出现在计算域中上及右下方位置。4)起沙前后气体脉动强度随摩阻风速增加而增加,随高度增加呈现不同变化。结果表明:该方法模拟精度较高,适用于解决风沙两相流数值模拟问题。     

Influence of salinity and moisture on the threshold shear velocity of saline sand in the Qarhan Desert,Qaidam Basin of China: A wind tunnel experiment

Determination of the threshold shear velocity is essential for predicting sand transport, dust release and desertification. In this study, a wind tunnel experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of salinity and moisture on the threshold shear velocity of saline sand. Saline sand samples (mean particle size of 164.50-186.08 μm and the total silt, clay and salt content of 0.80%-8.25%) were collected from three saline sand dunes (one barchan dune and two linear dunes) in the Qarhan Desert, Qaidam Basin of China. Original saline sand samples were placed in two experimental trays for wet and dry processing to simulate deliquescence and desiccation, respectively. Surface moisture content ranging from 0.30% to 1.90% was generated by the steam method so that the saline sand can absorb water in a saturated water vapor environment. The motion of sand particles was determined by the observers with a solid laser. The laser sheet (0.80 cm thick), which was emitted by the solid laser, horizontally covered the sand surface and was bound to the sand. Results show that the cohesion of saline sand results from a combination of salt and water. The threshold shear velocity increases exponentially with the increase in crust thickness for the linear sand dunes. There is a positive linear correlation between the original moisture content and relative threshold shear velocity. The threshold shear velocity of dewatered sand is greater than that of wet sand with the same original moisture content. Our results will provide valuable information about the sand transport of highly saline soil in the desert.     

Effects of different types of guardrails on sand transportation of desert highway pavement

Guardrail, an important highway traffic safety facility, is mainly used to prevent vehicles from accidentally driving off the road and to ensure driving safety. Desert highway guardrails hinder the movement of wind-blown sand, resulting in the decline of sand transportation by the pavement and the deposition of sand gains on the pavement, and endangering traffic safety. To reveal the influence of guardrails on sand transportation of desert highway pavement, we tested the flow field and sand transport volume distribution around the concrete, W-beam, and cable guardrails under different wind velocities through wind tunnel simulation. Wind velocity attenuation coefficients, sand transportation quantity, and sand transportation efficiency are used to measure sand transportation of highway pavement. The results show that the sand transportation of highway pavement was closely related to the zoning characteristics of flow field and variation of wind velocity around the guardrails. The flow field of the concrete guardrail was divided into deceleration, acceleration, and vortex zones. The interaction between the W-beam guardrail and wind-blown sand was similar to that of lower wind deflector. Behind and under the plates, there were the vortex zone and acceleration zone, respectively. The acceleration zone was conducive to transporting sand on the pavement. The cable guardrail only caused wind velocity variability within the height range of guardrail, and there was no sand deposition on the highway pavement. When the cable, W-beam, and concrete guardrails were used, the total transportation quantities on the highway pavement were 423.53, 415.74, and 136.53 g/min, respectively, and sand transportation efficiencies were 99.31%, 91.25%, and 12.84%, respectively. From the perspective of effective sand transportation on the pavement, the cable guardrail should be preferred as a desert highway guardrail, followed by the W-beam guardrail, and the concrete guardrail is unsuitable. The study results provide theoretical basis for the optimal design of desert highway guardrails and the prevention of wind-blown sand disasters on the highway pavement.     

DPM模型计算中国北方沙漠地区粉尘释放通量

本文利用DPM(Dust Production Model)模型模拟计算了我国北方沙漠地区不同的土壤微团粒在不同的地表粗糙度和地表摩擦风速下的水平跃移通量、粉尘释放通量、粉尘释放效率以及在特定量中粉尘粒子的质量和数浓度的分布,并对上述计算结果进行了讨论和分析。通过与实际观测结果进行对比的粗糙度和地表摩擦风速下粉尘释放通量后发现二者基本一致,从而证明了DPM模型是可以用来初步模拟中国北方沙漠地区的粉尘释放过程,这将有利于进一步较准确得模拟沙尘的输送、沉降以及气候效应。     

Optimization designs of artificial facilities in deserts based on computational simulation

Sediment transport of sand particles by wind is one of the main processes leading todesertification in arid regions, which severely impairs the ability of mankind to produce and live by driftingsand into settlements. Optimization designs of artificial facilities have lately attracted extensive interest forhuman settlement systems in deserts because of their acceptable protection effect, convenience ofimplementation, and low material cost. However, the complexity of a settlement system poses challengesconcerning finding suitable materials, artificial facilities, and optimization designs for sand depositionprotection. In an effort to overcome these challenges, we propose a settlement system built with brick, solarpanel, and building arrays to meet the basic needs of human settlements in arid regions while preventingwind-sand disasters. The wind flow and movement characteristics of sand particles in the brick, panel, andbuilding arrays were calculated using computational fluid dynamics and discrete phase model. Theperformance of three types of arrays in wind-sand flow in terms of decreasing the wind velocity and sandparticleinvasion distance was evaluated. The results show that the wind velocity near the surface and thesand invasion distance were significantly decreased in the space between the brick arrays through properlyselected vertical size and interspaces, indicating that the brick arrays have an impressive sand fixing andblocking performance;their effective protection distance was 3–4 m. The building arrays increased the nearsurfacewind velocity among buildings, resulting in less deposition of sand particles. The solar panel arrayswere similar to the building arrays in most cases, but the deposition of sand particles on solar panels exerteda negative effect on energy utilization efficiency. Therefore, taking the optimal configuration of thesettlement system into consideration, this study concludes that (1) brick arrays, which were proven effectivein preventing sand particles, must be arranged in an upwind area;(2) solar panel arrays could accelerate thewind flow, so they are best to be arranged at the place where sand particles deposited easily;and (3) buildingarrays present a better arrangement in downwind areas.